Amorphous UiO-66 Synthesis via Mild Coordination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for synthesizing amorphous UiO-66 require high temperature, high pressure, mechanical ball milling, and chemical corrosion, making it impossible to prepare under cell survival conditions for biological applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the heating mixing of polyethylene glycol (PEG), zirconium nitrate, and water to form a metal solution, followed by the heating mixing of ammonium fluoride, terephthalic acid, and water to form a ligand solution, which are then combined and subjected to coordination at mild temperatures (15° C. to 37° C.) under normal pressure to produce amorphous hierarchically porous UiO-66.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional methods (high temperature, high pressure, mechanical ball milling, chemical corrosion) are used to prepare amorphous UiO-66, then amorphous structure is achieved, but the preparation conditions are harsh and toxic solvents are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the preparation parameters from high temperature/high pressure to mild temperature (15-37°C) and normal pressure, achieving amorphous UiO-66 under biocompatible conditions through controlled coordination polymerization in aqueous solution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a mediator to facilitate the coordination between zirconium ions and terephthalic acid, enabling amorphous structure formation under mild conditions without requiring toxic solvents or extreme conditions
2Stability of the object's composition
If high temperature and high pressure are applied to convert crystalline MOFs to amorphous MOFs, then amorphous structure is obtained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dramatically reduces the energy input parameters from high temperature/high pressure to mild temperature (15-37°C) and normal pressure, achieving amorphous UiO-66 through solution-phase coordination polymerization that requires minimal energy input
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional synthesis methods are used for amorphous UiO-66, then amorphous structure is achieved, but biocompatibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the preparation conditions to biocompatible parameters including physiological temperature range (15-37°C), normal pressure, aqueous solution environment, and absence of toxic solvents, enabling potential biomedical applications of amorphous UiO-66
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a biocompatible mediator that facilitates the formation of amorphous structure under physiological conditions, making the material suitable for biomedical applications
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for the preparation of amorphous hierarchically porous UiO-66 under mild conditions, avoiding high energy consumption and toxic solvents, and enabling biocompatibility for potential applications in the biomedical field.
Implementation Method 1
PEG shows high hydrophilicity, and ethoxy repeating unit in the PEG interacts with Zr4+, thus promoting coordination self-assembly of metal ions and organic ligands
Implementation Method 2
The coordination is achieved through chemical bonding between the metal ions and carboxyl oxygen atoms, thereby forming preliminary coordination polymer structures
Implementation Method 3
in which water molecules act as a medium to help the metal ions and organic ligands ligate in space
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preparing an amorphous hierarchically porous UiO-66 is provided. Ammonium fluoride is added to promote dissolution of terephthalic acid (TPA) in water, and then zirconium nitrate is dissolved in water. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) shows high hydrophilicity, and ethoxy repeating unit in the PEG interacts with zirconium ions, thus promoting coordination self-assembly of metal ions and organic ligands. The zirconium ions react with carboxyl groups of the TPA through coordination. The coordination is achieved through chemical bonding between the zirconium ions and carboxyl oxygen atoms, thereby forming preliminary coordination polymer structures. As the coordination proceeds, these preliminary coordination polymer structures begin to self-assemble into short-range ordered network structures, in which water molecules act as a medium to help the zirconium ions and organic ligands ligate in space, thereby generating the amorphous hierarchically porous UiO-66.